Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for managing audio files of a user to reduce latencies in play start times on local devices. The audio files are stored on cloud storage managed by a server. One method includes processing a plurality of audio files associated with a user, where the processing is configured to create audio snippet files from each of the plurality of audio files. The audio snippet files representing a beginning part of each of the plurality of audio files. The method also includes transmitting the audio snippet files to a client device and detecting a request from the client to begin playing a first audio file from the plurality of audio files of the user. The first audio file being stored on the cloud storage managed by the server.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A method for transmitting an audio file, comprising: producing, by a processor and from a first audio file, a second audio file, the second audio file representing a beginning portion of the first audio file, bit rate of the second audio file being a function of a count of first audio files in a library of a user of a client device; transmitting, from the processor to the client device, the second audio file; detecting, at the processor and from the client device, a signal indicating a selection of the first audio file; and transmitting, from the processor and in response to the signal, at least a remaining portion of the first audio file to the client device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detecting occurs after the second audio file has been transmitted to the client device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first audio file is stored on a cloud storage server.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the remaining portion of the first audio file has an identified transition start point, the identified transition start point being a time in the first audio file that corresponds to an end time of the second audio file.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting the second audio file occurs during a synchronization procedure with the client device.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second audio file has a set size, the set size adjustable in response to a network speed performance parameter of the client device.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the signal includes an identification of the first audio file and an identification of a playlist associated with the first audio file.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the transmitting the at least the remaining portion of the first audio file includes transmitting an additional audio file of the playlist.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting the at least the remaining portion of the first audio file includes transmitting a portion of the first audio file that corresponds to the second audio file.
10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer code for controlling a processor to cause the processor to transmit an audio file, the computer code including instructions to cause the processor to: produce, from a first audio file, a second audio file, the second audio file representing a beginning portion of the first audio file, bit rate of the second audio file being a function of a count of first audio files in a library of a user of a client device; transmit, to the client device, the second audio file; detect, from the client device, a signal indicating a selection of the first audio file; and transmit, in response to the signal, at least a remaining portion of the first audio file to the client device.
11. An apparatus for playing an audio file, comprising: a processor configured to receive, from a server, a first audio file, the first audio file representing a beginning portion of a second audio file, to play the first audio file, to transmit, to the server, a first signal indicating a selection of the second audio file, to receive, from the at least a remaining portion of the second audio file, and to play the at least the remaining portion of the second audio file, a bit rate of the second audio file being a function of a count of first audio files in a library of a user of the apparatus; and a memory configured to store the first audio file and the at least the remaining portion of the second audio file.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the remaining portion of the second audio file has an identified transition start point, the identified transition start point being a time in the second audio file that corresponds to an end time of the first audio file.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to receive the first audio file during a synchronizing procedure with the server.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to transmit, to the server, a second signal, the second signal including a network speed performance parameter of the apparatus, the network speed performance parameter usable by the server to adjust a set size of the first audio file.
15. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first signal includes an identification of the second audio file and an identification of a playlist associated with the second audio file.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive an additional audio file of the playlist.
17. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive the at least the remaining portion of the second audio file by receiving a portion of the second audio file that corresponds to the first audio file.
18. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to receive the at least the remaining portion of the second audio file during a background download operation.
19. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to complete reception of the at least the remaining portion of the second audio file before completion of a play of the first audio file.
20. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to receive the first audio file in response to at least one of a setup of an account for audio files, a change in the account, or a change in content of audio files associated with the account.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
August 1, 2016
September 25, 2018
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